IN-FIELD CLEANING OF CROP SPRAYERS

Transcription

1 IN-FIELD CLEANING OF CROP SPRAYERS Andrew Landers Cornell University Dept. of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Ithaca Dept. of Entomology, Geneva New York, USA

2 OPERATOR SAFETY - RISKS RELATED TO THE CLEANING OF SPRAYERS LOCAL POINT SOURCE POLLUTION WITH SPRAY RESIDUE CONTAMINATION OF SURFACE WATER HUMAN EXPOSURE

3 Traditional Cleaning Methods. Surplus spray solution was often discharged in the field or along farm roads/tracks. Also discharged in the same place in the farm yard However, this practice poses a threat to both surface and ground water

4 Traditional Cleaning Methods. Sprayer Cleaning was often done near a major supply of water, i.e. at the filling point in the farm yard The discharge of large volumes of cleaning water often floods into the surrounding area, running over the soil and into the drains.

5 Traditional Cleaning Methods. Cleaning in the farmyard, at the source of water and where pesticides are loaded into the sprayer - further increases the risks A large amount of water on concrete fill pads may remove pesticide deposits into the drains and soak-aways.

6 The amount of water normally used for tank washing by cereal farmers Water used to wash equipment (% of tank capacity) <= >100 Average = Frequency (%) Source: Balsari & Airoldi 1998 Proc. BCPC Symposium #

7 Methods of disposal of spray residues used on cereal farms Residual disposal Onto the ground Reuse Banks weed control Manure storage Farmyard weed control Frequency (%) Source: Balsari & Airoldi 1998 Proc. BCPC Symposium # 70,

8 Where can we clean sprayers and how? Clean your sprayer within the vineyard this is the treatment zone for which the pesticide has been approved Do not apply to the canopy you maybe in danger of applying too much pesticide to the leaves alternatively you may wash-off pesticide already applied

9 The Need for In Field Cleaning: External surfaces. Spray deposits can adhere to external surfaces in high concentrations sometimes after a short time

10 External deposits. Can be a risk to operators e.g door handles and when maintaining sprayers. The spray residue may be washed off and contaminate ground water.

11 Contamination of equipment and operator

12 Location Tractor Application Technology Group Selfprop elled Pesticide residues, (micro-grams of chemical detected) SR 1 SR 2 SR 3 Cab Windshields - Interior Cab Windshields - Exterior Under Seat Areas Steering Wheel & Gauge Areas Inlet Vent Outlet Vent Cloth Seats Kline, A.A., Landers, A.J. Hedge, A., Lemley, A.T., Obendorf, S.K. and Dokuchayeva, T. (2003) Ap Engineering in Agriculture 19 (4)

13 . Application Technology Group Contaminated sprayers will rot away note the corrosion on this AgTec sprayer Solvents within the pesticides are particularly harmful on some types of hose and components;

14 Using air induction nozzles will reduce both drift AND external spray deposits.

15 The quantity, location and concentrations of sprayer residues within components of a Hardi LA sprayer; gallons of spray [predicted* ppm of Amidosulfuron] Component Residue Predicted ppm Tank Pump and associated pipes Pressure agitation and pipes Manifold and pipe Self cleaning filter pipe** Induction bowl with container rinse Booms and pipes Total * Predictions assume Amidosulfuron was used at 400ppm in original solution. ** Pipe contents after pressure relief value. Source: Taylor & Cooper 1998 Proc. BCPC Symposium # 70,

16 Time taken, and clean water volumes used, during the internal and external decontamination of a Hardi Master sprayer. Times; mins Volumes; Gallons First internal rinsing Spraying out with nozzles 2 Second internal rinsing Spraying out with nozzles 2 External washing During which 4.7 gallons are directed to main tank 4.7 Final spraying out with nozzles 2 Total: 13 minutes 22.2 Gallons Source: Cooper & Taylor 1998 Proc. BCPC Symposium # 70,

17 Area of Exposure Cleaning Spray Equipment Method of Reducing Exposure Tank Cleaning

18 UP TO 4% OF THE TANK CAPACITY (ISO 12761) COULD BE STILL PRESENT INSIDE THE SPRAYER AT THE END OF THE PESTICIDE APPLICATION

19 Residues within sprayers following a two stage flushing routine Model LA Master Main tank capacity; Gallons Flushing tank capacity; Gallons 31.7* 22.2** Volumes of original spray solutions; gallons Total At start After first rinse After second rinse * Flushing water used in two 15.8 Gallon batches ** Flushing water used in two 7.3 Gallon batches Source: Taylor & Cooper 1998 Proc. BCPC Symposium # 70,

20 TRIPLE RINSING SPRAYER TANKS IS BETTER THAN ONE RINSE Number of rinsings Sampled at the: % Nozzle 5,5 Tank drain 4,8 Nozzle 1 Tank drain 1 Nozzle 0,2 Tank drain 0,2 Source: Nilsson, E., Hagenwall H. og Jorgensen L.

21 Machinery developments that make effective use of limited clean water volumes. In-tank sprinklers avoid the need to fill tanks up to rinse internal surfaces Reduced use of clean water volumes is possible

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23 Clean water for tank rinsing is situated in the small tank ontop of the main tank on this large boom sprayer

24 UP TO 3% OF THE MIXTURE SPRAYED IS DEPOSITED ON THE EXTERNAL SURFACE OF THE SPRAYER

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26 BSF tracer Dimethoate Fenpropimorph Prosulfocarb Azoxystrobin (Jensen P K, Spliid N H). External deposit (% of applied) wash 2. wash

27 Effectiveness of decontamination methods showing the mean and 1±SE Effectiveness of decontamination methods showing the mean and 1±SE (Ramwell C T, Johnson P D, Corns H). Brush High pressure Hose Ammonical Non-ammonical Pencil jet Rotating jet Residues removed (% of control) Brush High pressure Hose Ammonical Non-ammonical Pencil jet Rotating jet Residues removed (% of control)

28 Extension spreading the word with a poster display and tank washing unit

29 External cleaning demonstration

30 Cleaning devices Internal and external lines Internal

31 Dilution triple rinsing of the inside of the sprayer tank Dilution of Sprayer Tank Reminants Concentration as % of original spray solution Clean water used, gallons 0.7

32 Tank rinsing on a vineyard sprayer

33 Tank rinsing on a vineyard sprayer Note the valves at the front of the sprayer allows the operator to use the exisiting sprayer pump to withdraw clean water from the secondary tank and deliver it to the rinsing nozzle inside the main tank.

34 Rinsing tanks and electric pumps A simple rinsing system can be purchased use a small herbicide sprayer tank, pump and lance. Add a T- piece and use a tank rinsing nozzle for the insode of the tank use the hand lance for the outside of the sprayer.

35 TANK RINSING In situ tank rinsing allows the operator to rinse the inside of the sprayer with the minimum of time, water and risk to both himself and the environment.

36 Other resources A very large EU funded project has many, many details on tank rinsing systems, operator training and reducing environmental pollution

37 A research/extension project entitled Technology to protect the Finger Lakes from point source pollution Funded by Conservation and Innovation Grant (CIG), New York Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) Application Technology Group Acknowledgements